Solute segregation and deviation from bulk thermodynamics at nanoscale crystalline defects.

It has long been known that solute segregation at crystalline defects can have profound effects on material properties. Nevertheless, quantifying the extent of solute segregation at nanoscale defects has proven challenging due to experimental limitations. A combined experimental and first-principles approach has been used to study solute segregation at extended intermetallic phases ranging from 4 to 35 atomic layers in thickness.

Observation of high enantioselectivity for the gas phase hydrogenation of methyl pyruvate using supported Pt catalysts pre-modified with cinchonidine.

Pt supported on alpha-Al2O3, gamma-Al2O3 and SiO2 pre-modified with cinchonidine gives over 50% ee in the hydrogenation of methyl pyruvate to methyl lactate using gas phase reactants at 40 degrees C giving the first clear observation of high enantioselection at the gas/solid interface.

The characterisation of supported platinum nanoparticles on carbon used for enantioselective hydrogenation: a combined electrochemical-STM approach.

The action of chiral modifiers like cinchonine and cinchonidine in facilitating enationselectivity in heterogeneous catalysis is investigated using a combination of electrochemical and scanning probe methods. The surface chirality of corner kink sites is suggested as being crucial for chirality recognition at supported catalyst nanoparticles. Other aspects of chirality in relation to one, two, three and four dimensions are also discussed.